Dot was placing a basket of muffins on the front desk when the woman came out of the back office, and the fact that she'd never seen anyone back there peaked her interest. The reticent desk clerk asked the woman about towels and then turned as though to ask Dot who out of politeness had more towels than she may ever need.

She backed away before he could offer, but not so far that when the woman started around the desk she couldn't step forward with a second basket and offer, "Muffin?"